Dornblueth "Gorch Fock I" Watch Commemorates Historic Ship

German watchmaker D. Dornbluth & Sohn has introduced a limited edition wristwatch whose design and technical features are inspired by historical deck clocks, which were essential for ships to perform accurate navigation tasks.  

The introduction of this timepiece coincides with the 75th birthday of the historical vessel "Gorch Fock I", a German three-mast barque first constructed in 1933, eventually becoming an acquisition of the former Soviet Union, and later to sail under the Ukrainian flag.  In 1999, the ship finally returned to her home port in Stralsund, Germany, but by this time was in critical need of repairs.  Today, a restoration project is being undertaken by the organization Tall-Ship-Friends, who intend to make the Gorch Fock I seaworthy once again.  

The Dornblueth Gorch Fock I watch has been created to support the work of Tall-Ship-Friends.   Limited to a series of 75 pieces, this manually wound timepiece features a 47mm stainless steel case with polished lugs and a crenelated bezel edge, a silvery white dial with Arabic numerals and blued Poire hands, and a leather strap with contrasting white stitching.  The power reserve indicator below the 12 o'clock index reveals the status of the mainspring tension, up to a full value of approximately 50 hours.  Each of these commemorative Dornblueth timepieces are supplied in a fine mahogany box, with a gimbled brass display to showcase the watch.  The box, as well as the watch and its dial and movement all feature a continuous serial number.  

The D. Dornbluth & Sohn brand was founded in 1999, by Dieter and Dirk Dornbluth, of Kalbe, Germany.  Focusing on an extremely small output of watches, the company devotes itself to the perpetuation of traditional German watchmaking techniques.